Rail joint



J. A. GREER May 10, 1960 RAIL JOINT Filed May 27, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JAMES A. GREER May 10, 1960 Filed May 27, 1958 J. A. GREER 2,936,126

RAIL JOINT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. gAMES A GREER RAIL JOINT Application May 27, 1958, Serial No. 738,097

8 Claims. (Cl. 238-243) This invention relates to rail joints for use in connecting the ends of rail sections in a manner to provide a minimum degree of relative movement therebetween to increase the life and reduce batter inflicted on the rail ends 'by passing wheel loads.

' The primary conditions sought in a joint bar are to provide maximum strength or vertical stiffness in the bar with the metal in the bar so distributed as to position the minimum web thickness in the zone of the neutral axisof the bar. Inother words, it is highly desirable to provide a lightbut strong joint bar from the standpoint ofec'onomy and yet fully utilize the metal displaced from the neutral "axis where it does less workto the head and foot of the bar to give maximum beam strength. 7 Accordingly, one of theobjects of the invention is to provide a jointbar' whose web portion has a flat outer bolting face andan inner face including a series of longitudinally disposed ribsformed ofconjoined reversely related arcs, the arcs on which the ribs are formed be ing individually adjusted according to a bar section of given weight and c'ross-section to impart the desired physical properties to the bar. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a rail joint bar whose inner ribbed profile provides a section that may be made'by rolling, extruding, or pouring whereby, the distribution of metal and physical properties incident'to this type of construction are maintained with aminimum of plastic deformation and the least possible disturbance of the molecular structure of the metal, thereby retaining the desired space lattice orientation and physical properties while at the same time insuring the productionof a smoother, cleaner surface, freefrom detrimental effect of producing a discontinuous surface in the direction otrolling.

' A further. object of theinventi-on is to providerail joint bars of, the toe" of toeless type having the novel inner ribbed features above described, thereby increasing the range of use of the bar in the respectthat the toe-type may be. combined with a tie plate or the like to provide in'effect a continuous rail 'joint of high strength. i As the nature ofthis invention is better understood, it will become readily apparent that the objectives of the unified toe and base structure will permit interchangeability of the structure, utilizing the inherent advantages for additional service such as an insulated member of a synthetic nonconductor whose form, whether initially fluid or solid, thickness, laminar construction, and flexibility will assure effective performance.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view of a portion of a rail and a toeless bar fitted thereto.

FigureZ is'a view'similar to Figure 1 showing a toe-.

type bar embodyin'gthe present improvements.

- Figure 3 is a' diagrammatic vertical sectional view illustratinga given section with toe-type bars,; one of which is connected with a base member that spans the assent Patentedlvia y 10, 1960 2 joint to provide in efiect a continuous joint embodying the present improvements.

v Similar reference characters designate. corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

Referring first-to Figure l, the rail R is provided with the usual fishing space to receive a toeless bar A preferably of the headfree type, although the improvements may be applied to bars of the head contact type. As usual the bar essentially includes a head portion 1, a foot portion 2 and a web 3. This web has a flat outer face 4 and an inner face provided with longitudinal 'ribs 5 and 6 located above and below the neutral axis NA of the bar which is substantially in the general plane of the center line CL of the bolt holes.

The ribs 5 and 6 and their intervening valleys are formed by a series of conjoined arcs. As will be seen from Figure 1, the upper are 8 providing a valley is formed by the radius 8 which connects the inner face of the head with the rib 5 whose are 9 is formed by the radius 9*.

The lower portion of the rib 5 is connected with an are 10, also providing a valley, formed on the radius 10*, which connects with the rib 6 formed on an are 11 formed by the radius 11*. The lower portion of the web below the rib 6 is connected by the are 12, providing a valley formed on radius 12, with the inner portion of the foot 2 of the bar. It will now be apparent from Figure 1 that the ribs 5 and 6 include areas of metal above and below the neutral axis which give maximum strength and yet lighter weight by displacing the metal of the inner face of the web from the valleys 8, 10 and 12 into the head,

rib and foot portions of the bar thereby placing the metal where it has the maximum load supporting value, as wellas resistance to bolting forces.

Referring to Figure 2 the portion of the rail R is also provided with the usual fisln'ng space to receive the toe type bar B. This bar again is, for example, of the headfree type whose upper inner face engages the fillet area between the bottom of the rail head and the web and includes a head portion l a foot portion 2 and a web 3. The foot portion 2 of this bar is provided with an extended flange 13 overlying the base of the rail and having a toe portion 14.

The inner face of the web 3 of the bar B is provided with the upper rib 15 and the lower rib 16. These ribs are formed by a series of conjoined arcs, such for example, as the are 17 formed on radius l7 which connects the inner face of the head of the bar with the rib 15. This rib is formed on an arc defined by the radius' 1'5 and said rib is connected by the valley are 18 which is formed on radius 18 It will thus be seen that here, like in Fig. l, the neutral axis of the bar passes through the are 18 which is the zone of minimum web thickness.

The r-ib 16 is formed by radius 16 which joins with the radius 18 of the valley are 18 at the top and whose lower portion connects with the valley 19 joining the lower edge of the rib 16 with the base 2 This valley is formed on the radius 19*.

It will thus be seen from Figures 1 and 2 that joint bars of the headfree type have an inner contour comprising a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending conjoined arcs disposed to provide a minimum web thickness substantially within the zone-of the neutral axis. This disposition aiiords progressively increasing horizontal increments of area above and below said neutral axis zone through inward divergence of the tangential reversing arcs from the vertical plane of the bar, thus utilizing the interrelated value of area logically located at a material distance from the axis to advantageously reduce maximum unit stresses in the extreme fibers of the metal.

Fig. 1 (Toeless Jam) Fig. 2 (Tee Joint) I. 31. 8 (2i T. 13. 2 in. 12 in. 11.3

A. 11.5 A. 14,4? Gross Wt. 36 It. 117. 7# Gross 'Wt; 36" J t. 1451851} From the above it will be seen that the modulus above and below the neutral NA is substantiallybalanced in a joint bar of the length and-weight described.

It may be also pointed 'out'that the "arcuate inner'web formation aside from providing degree of stifiness and strength with minimum weight, closely approxi mates the true beam function of evenly distributed tensile and compressive stresses. The locationof minimum web thickness at or within the zone of the neutral axis of the bar with the ribs disposed above and below the same, causes the neutral axis and the center line of the bolt to be approximately coincident thereby to more equally distribute bolting'forces. In addition, the arcuate inner web formation not only materially aids rolling procedures, by gently, as distinguished from abruptly, altering the shape in a manner 'to maintain the fibers of the metal in the most advantageous relation and also to keep even retention of the heat throughout the bar to minimize the severe strain imposed by plastic deformation, incident reduction and resulting residual stresses.

By way of illustrating the range of a preferred applicationof the improved bars B reference may be made to Figure 3. These bars have the head 1 'connected'to foot 2 by web 3: whose inner face 4 is formed with the longitudinal ribs 5 and 6 and contiguous valleys is connected, for example, by welds 20 and 21 withthe" shoulder22 ofthe upstanding rib 23 of the base plate 24? This 'base member extends transversely below the base of the rail R? andalso is coextensive with the length of the joint bars B. The base plate 24 may be secured at the field side to the ties by fastenings 25 while the toe,14, oftheopposite bar B may be likewise secured to theltie by appropriate fastenings 26 which pass through openings 27 in the gauge side of the base plate.

The arrangement shown in Figure 3 provides strength and support for the rail ends in a joint including bars having weight and strength of a continuous joint with the advantage that a bar of the present invention may be applied to a base plate both of which lend themselves to separate rolling and consequent simplicity and flexibility of rolling procedure, including economyof not havingto turn' up andmaintain special-rolls.

The combined a. bar andbase plate structure shown in Figure 3 provides substantially increased properties'due" tothe integrated joint and basemeniber. Also, as Will be' apparent'from the location of the neutral "axis of the integrated structure, maximum, lateral properties-are ob tained. in the toe-type joint as compared,- for example; to 'the toeless type. Consequently, there is a very definiteimprovementto lateral properties developedby integratingthe jointand base member by any suitable andxappropriate means. Saidfstructure will provide properties superior tolthe joint member alone, approacbing equal and comparable properties of rail attended thereby, thus assuring transmission of all of the bending moment from one rail to the next adjacent rail and accomplishing the long sought for uniform continuity of rail head planes.

Moreover, the base plate is provided with a substantial extension beyond the stepped shoulder to counteract the outward variable thrust incident to wheel nosing or hunting action and overturning tendency resulting from the horizontal component of wheel load applied to the head of rail, and an opposed extension providing base support for a plurality of rail sections ofvarying base widths. In addition, the base plate is provided with gauge side punchings to (permit spiking at the outward face of the joint bar base. .Said punchings may be spaced to accommodate a plurality of rail sections of different base dimensions and may also be spaced longitudinally of the plate length at intervals comparable to intended tie sup- Po and, p in I Considerable. adyantage. accrues to the construction of Figflineident to the angular-correlation of integrated joint andfbase which provides tighter relationship be-, tween rail and joint structure, resulting from laterally applied loads under traffic. Furthermore, weight saviri'g, while maintaining'or improving the physical propcities by appropriate adjustment of the location and magnitude. or radii of the arcs is fundamental in this concept, and the vital relationship of the contiguous arcs abovefand below the neutral axis and minimum web in providing progressively increasing horizontal increments of: area positioned at optimum locations in the bar governs this basic advantage. Expressly the arcuate. web makes possible a controlled distribution of metal best meeting the requisites determined for any individual bar section through proper adjustment of the curvilinear divergence ofthe inner web from a vertical plane above and belowthe neutral axis zone, said zone being substantially coplanar with the minimum web.

The improvements afiorded the material itself by virtue ofth'e arcuate web is an important point because.

it. embodies the advantage of minimum plastic deformation '(least disturbance of molecular structure), retentioi of "desired spaced lattice orientation, smoother, cleaner surfaces free from detrimental effects incident to production of. a discontinuous surface in the direction of rolling or 'otherformative means for accomplishing the;

desired novel structure functioning as herein described.

inary; thearrangement shown and described pro-Q videsfa joint assembly comprising high strength. joint bars whosemoment of inertia and section modulus, with ref ere'neet o both vertical andhorizontal axis, are.supple-. mented by integration with a base member to approximately, equal comparable rail properties, thereby pro viding fortransmission of virtually all of the bending: moment from one rail to the next and insuringuniform, continuity of rail head planes.

I claim:

1. A rail joint bar including, in combination, head and foot portions joined by a web having bolt holes and provided witha flat outer face and an inner face including a plurality of parallel longitudinally'extending conjoined arcs providing alternate ribs and valleys arranged to provide a minimum web thickness substantially with the zone of .the neutral axis of the bar, said arcs providing inthe ribs a" progressively increasinghorizontal increment ofv area above and below the zone of said neutral axis. through inward divergence of the tangential reversing arcs from the vertical plane of the bar, thus utilizing the provided with a'flat 'outer face 'andja series of vertically arranged longitudinal ribs withintervening valleys, the

ribs being disposed above and below the horizontal neutral axis of the bar to provide a bar of progressively increased area toward the head and foot of the bar.

3. A rail joint bar, including, in combination, head and foot poftions joined by a web having bolt holes and provided with a flat outer face and an inner face comprising a series of longitudinal ribs with intervening valleys, the ribs being disposed above and below the horizontal neutral axis of the bar and intermediate valleys being disposed substantially at the location of the said horizontal neutral axis, said ribs and valleys providing progressively increasing horizontal increments of area positioned at optimum locations in the bar.

4. A rail joint bar including, in combination, head and foot portions joined by a web having bolt holes and provided with a flat outer face and a series of vertically arranged longitudinal ribs with intervening valleys, the ribs being arranged that the horizontal cross sectional areas of the members of the bar progressively increase above and below the horizontal neutral axis of the bar whereby the section modulus of the upper and lower members of the bars with relation to said horizontal neutral axis are substantially equal.

5. A composite support for connecting rail ends having head-web fillets, comprising, in combination, a pair of head free joint bars each including a head having a rail engaging radial head for engaging said fillets, a foot portion having an outwardly extending base portion provided with a downwardly turned toe, said head and foot portion joined by a web having bolt holes and provided with a flat outer face, and an inner face provided with a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending conjoined arcs providing alternate ribs and valleys on the inner side of the web arranged to provide a minimum web thickness substantially within the zone of the neutral axis of the bars, said arcs providing in the ribs a progressively increasing horizontal increment of area above and below the zone of said neutral axis through inward divergence of the tangential reversing arcs from the vertical plane of the bar, and a base member conjoined with the toe of one of the bars at the field side of the rail and extending the length of bars at both the field and gauge sides of the rail ends, the combined bar and rail base supporting plate constituting an integrated section whose moment of inertia and section modulus above and below its horizontal neutral axis exceed the respective lesser corresponding properties of the component parts, and resulting in a unit coincidentally providing combined means for connecting rail ends, supporting rail base, and a housing the rail ends to maintain proper continuity of line and surface of said opposed rail ends.

6. A composite support for connecting rail ends according to claim 5, wherein, said base member includes a shoulder on the field side for receiving the toe of one of the said bars, said base member having an inclined rail supporting surface, a substantial extension beyond the shoulder to counteract overturning tendency incident to the outward lateral forces acting on the gauge side of the rail heads, and an extension on the gauge side of the plate enabling the same to be punched for varying rail base widths and permitting spiking to supplement resistance against lateral outwardly acting forces on the gauge side of the rails to maintain specified gauge between rails.

7. A joint assembly comprising, in combination, rails having a head-web fillet, a gauge side joint bar, a field side joint bar, a rail base supporting plate integrated with said field side joint bar, heads for said bars having radial bearing conformation coinciding with the radii of the head-web fillet and providing a pivotal relation therewith, the base of bars having a flat surface underlying the web portion of the bar initially to wedgingly engage the upper surface of the rail flange, and the outwardly extending portion of said surface of the bar beyond said initial flange engaging surface being inclined upwardly and in angular spaced relation to the outward extension of the rail base flange, whereby, coincident with applied bolt tension coacting With the pivotal engagement of bar heads with rail fillets the base of the bars are forced inwardly toward the rail web, the area of the fiat bearing surface of the base of the bar increasing proportionately to the normal service wear and the moment of forces acting on the outer side of the integrated unit moving clockwise under said bolt tension resulting in the rail base supporting plate being forced inwardly and retained in surface engagement with the base of the rail for the full length of the joint.

8. A joint assembly comprising, rails having a headweb fillet, a gauge side joint bar and a field side joint bar each having heads provided with radial conformation intended to coincide with the head-web fillet radii of the rail and to provide a pivotal relation therewith, a base of the barshaving a flat surface underlying the web portion of the bar to initially wedgingly engage the upper surface of the rail flange, the outwardly extending underlying surface of the bar beyond said initial flange engaging surface being inclined upwardly and in angular spaced relation to the outward extension of the rail base flange, whereby, coincident with applied bolt tension coacting with the pivotal engagement of bar heads with rail fillet the base of the bars are forced inwardly toward the rail web, the flat bearing surface of the base of the bars thereby increasing proportionately to the normal service wear.

Zimmerman Apr. 16, 1929 Langford Nov. 21, 1933 

